Lethal weapons - what is it? Non-lethal types of weapons

Lethal weapons - what is it? These means include combat units designed to suppress and destroy enemy forces. Let's see what the lethal types of weapons are, consider examples of non-lethal action.

Types of lethal weapons

Considering lethal weapons - what it is - it is worth highlighting several categories of weapons. First of all, it is necessary to note the cold steel. This includes weapons that affect the target in a contact mode in close combat. As for remote lethal weapons, it is worth mentioning firearms, as well as weapons of mass destruction.

What applies to weapons of mass impact

In this category there are:

1. Nuclear lethal weapons. What is it? First of all, the means, whose action is based on the release of an impressive charge of nuclear energy, which spreads as chain reactions. All this causes serious damage and leads to radiation contamination of the area.
2. The chemical weapon of lethal action is based on the destruction of the enemy's manpower by exposure to toxic substances.
3. Incendiary weapons - involves the use of flammable bases: pyrogel, napalm, white phosphorus.
4. Bacteriological lethal weapons - what is it? It is aimed at mass destruction of crops, animals and people by the method of spreading pathogenic spores and organisms, all kinds of viruses, toxic substances.

Ammunition

To suppress the advancing power of the enemy, grenades are used first. According to the designation, such ammunition is anti-tank and anti-personnel. The latter, in turn, are divided into high-explosive and incendiary.

Another common type of lethal ammunition is mines. Here are several categories:

• Ground - activated when in contact with the enemy's manpower;
• Anti-tank - used to destroy or disable armored vehicles;
• Marine - designed to inflict damage to underwater and surface vessels.

Speaking of missiles, the latter are used to defeat ground, air and water targets. In particular, torpedoes are used to destroy port facilities, hydraulic facilities and sea vessels.

Lethal and non-lethal weapons

Means of non-lethal effects are also known as "humane" weapons. It is used to suppress enemy forces, inflict temporary damage to infantry without causing significant harm to health, or to disperse mass demonstrations.

There is an extensive list of electrical, chemical, light and mechanical means that are in service with special services, representatives of law enforcement agencies. Used to provide a deterrent, psychological, and then traumatic impact on the goals.

Types of non-lethal weapons

Currently, the following types of non-lethal weapons are distinguished:

1. Traumatic - developed specifically for the destruction of targets by mechanical means of traumatic action. First of all civil and police pistols are presented here, capable of firing with plastic, rubber or metal cartridges.
2. Gas - based on the defeat of enemy mucous membranes by chemicals. The main effects from the use of weapons of this type: pain in the eyes, salivation, lacrimation, choking, burning of the skin.
3. Sound - the principle of impact on the goal is based on the propagation of sound waves of a certain frequency. A vivid representative is a police sound cannon, which allows you to transmit warning messages to hundreds of meters, affecting the behavior of the crowd. When used at close range, individual samples of sound weapons can damage the hearing organs, which affects the loss of orientation in space.
4. Water - has a physical effect on the target due to the release of directed flows of liquid under impressive pressure. Usually it does not cause injury, but it can cause discomfort in the form of hypothermia.
5. Light - it is performed on the basis of luminescent elements or pyrotechnic means of combustion. In most cases, it has a psychological effect on the opponent.
6. Laser - based on the emission of light pulses, which disorient or temporarily blind the enemy.
7. Microwave weapons are represented in the form of powerful thermal radiators. Allows the distribution of directional energy over long distances. Has a shock effect on the forces of the enemy.

Non-lethal weapons with lethal outcomes

The use of non-lethal weapons is aimed at minimizing casualties in the ranks of the enemy. However, it is extremely difficult to completely exclude such cases. The most common causes that lead to irreparable damage to health or death: ricochets, inept handling of combat units, hit of traumatic cartridges in vulnerable parts of the body.

The use of rubber, plastic and, especially, metal ammunition can lead to fractures, concussion, brain concussion, loss of individual organs, cause surface and deep tissue damage. Therefore, people who are exposed to non-lethal weapons must immediately seek medical help, even in the absence of noticeable damage.